Common disorders that may mimic the clinical features of TTP
| Disorder . | Comments . |
|---|---|
| Preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome | Can cause microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, renal failure, and minor neurologic abnormalities. May first present after delivery. TTP diagnosed if major neurologic abnormalities occur or if abnormalities fail to resolve within 3 days after delivery.27 |
| Autoimmune disorders | May be indistinguishable from TTP. Some patients may have both TTP and an additional autoimmune disorder, such as SLE or APLA.36 |
| Systemic infection | Multiple etiologies of sepsis (bacteria, fungi, rickettsiae, and viruses) can cause thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia without signs of DIC.37 Sepsis suggested by high fever with chills and pulmonary infiltrates, which rarely if ever occur in TTP. |
| Systemic malignancy | Multiple malignancies can cause thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia without signs of DIC. Malignancy suggested by hepatic and pulmonary involvement, which rarely if ever occur in TTP.10 Nucleated red cells and immature white cells on the peripheral blood smear suggest marrow involvement that may be diagnosed by marrow biopsy.38,39 |
| Malignant hypertension | Can cause thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, renal failure, and severe neurologic abnormalities.45 |
| Disorder . | Comments . |
|---|---|
| Preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome | Can cause microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, renal failure, and minor neurologic abnormalities. May first present after delivery. TTP diagnosed if major neurologic abnormalities occur or if abnormalities fail to resolve within 3 days after delivery.27 |
| Autoimmune disorders | May be indistinguishable from TTP. Some patients may have both TTP and an additional autoimmune disorder, such as SLE or APLA.36 |
| Systemic infection | Multiple etiologies of sepsis (bacteria, fungi, rickettsiae, and viruses) can cause thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia without signs of DIC.37 Sepsis suggested by high fever with chills and pulmonary infiltrates, which rarely if ever occur in TTP. |
| Systemic malignancy | Multiple malignancies can cause thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia without signs of DIC. Malignancy suggested by hepatic and pulmonary involvement, which rarely if ever occur in TTP.10 Nucleated red cells and immature white cells on the peripheral blood smear suggest marrow involvement that may be diagnosed by marrow biopsy.38,39 |
| Malignant hypertension | Can cause thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, renal failure, and severe neurologic abnormalities.45 |
APLA indicates antiphospholipid antibody syndrome; and DIC, disseminated intravascular coagulation.